Waterproofing frictional type material



March 2,- 1937. -r. 1.. CUNNINGHAM 2,072,097

WATERPROOFING FRICTIONAL TYPE MATERIAL Filed Dec. 6, 1954 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATERPROOFING FRICTIONAL TYPE MATERIAL Application December 6, 1934, Serial No. 756,371

9 Claims.

My invention relates to waterproofing materials, and more particularly to the waterproofing of materials that require friction or impact action to effect their usefulness. Examples of one class of such materials are matches and the friction plates commonly used for igniting matches and other ignitible products. Numerous other materials not ordinarily used for ignition purposes are also amenable to the waterproofing means 10 and methods characteristic of my invention.

A special feature of my invention resides in the treatment of materials, having inherent frictional properties, with a thin liquid composition that renders the treated surface entirely waterresistant but does not substantially impair its normal frictional characteristics. This treatment makes it possible to waterproof frictional type materials, such as the striking plate on match boxes, so that the treated materials will not disintegrate even if subjected directly to water, and

at the same time does not destroy to any appreciable extent the frictional properties of suth materials necessary for igniting matches or for effecting any other ordinary use. Matches and their entire containers may also be rendered waterproof by the same treatment that I employ to waterproof the match striking plate, as will be described more in detail hereinafter.

With reference to the waterproofing of matches and other ignitible products that come within the scope of my invention, I am aware that the prior art discloses numerous attempts in this direction. However, as evidenced by the absence from the trade and public use of such products,

they have not been commercially satisfactory.

The majority of these attempts consists in coating the matches with a heavy water-resistant material such as paraflln, gums, resins, and heavy oils, or mixtures of these. Although it is true 0 that these materials possess certain water-repellent properties, they are of such physical nature as to render them unsuitable for waterproofing matches. For example, one of the common resins or parafllns may be applied to the match stick or splint, but it would not be satisfactory to coat the tip or striking portion of the matches with such material. The main reason for this is that the ignitible chemical substance forming the tip of the match, would becovered' by a thick substantially glass-like coating of the resin or the like. Such a. coating is difficult to break down by friction and would thereby materially impair the striking or ignition properties of the match,

The same difllculty is found in treating the ,match box or package, when the usual coating materials are employed. Although some portions of the match container might be satisfactorily coated with these heavy gums or resins, the striking or ignition plate of the match container could not be satisfactorily treated in this manner. When a coating of such materials is applied to the striking plate it so reduces the necessary frictional properties of this plate that the latter no longer possesses its'natural ability to cause the matches to ignite. The effect produced by such a coating is very similar to that of a glass surface possessing extremely slight frictional properties. As is well known, such a surface is not satisfactory for striking matches or for causing ignition of other similar products, which require a more or less roughened surface for their utilization.

In view of the fact that these prior art types of water-repellent coatings are not suitable for application to the vital parts of the ignition products, such as the tips of matches and the striking plate on the match container, they fail to satisfy the greatest need in waterproofing such products.

' Another objection to the waterproofing of matches and match containers with paraflin, gums, resins, etc. is that the coating formed by these materials on the parts to which they are applied unduly increases the size and decreases the uniformity of the product. Furthermore, such coatings being of appreciable thickness, are subject to peeling and chipping and this defeats their very purpose. Once these coatings have begun to separate from the treated material their waterproofing effectiveness is substantially lost. It is commonly necessary in using these materials to heat them to some extent before they are applied to the matches or match containers. That is, the normally solid parafiin, gums, resins, etc., must be reduced to a liquid or semi-liquid state before they can be uniformly applied to the parts to be treated. This necessary heating is time-consuming and expensive, especially where large production is required. The above mentioned difllculties commonly encountered in waterproofing matches according to the prior art methods are not restricted to matches but apply to various materials 1 frictional properties.

In accordance with my invention, the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art such as those outlined above are minimized and novel waterproofing methods and waterproof products are obtained.

An object of my invention is to provide a method for waterproofing material, normally possessing substantial frictional properties, without deleteriously affecting such properties.

Another object of my invention is to provide a waterproof ignition type of product that possesses substantially its original size, uniformity teristics of these products is not limited to matches or other similar ignitible products. This novel principle of treatment, supra, may be applied to any materials, which it is desired to waterproof without impairing their original frictional properties. It is evident that this principle might be applied to other than ignitible materials, for example, leather belting, ball bearings, various gears for machinery, and many other similar products. This general principle of my invention is easily explained with reference to its application to matches, and for this reason only the following description relates to such products, but as stated, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to this specific use.

The novel features of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, will be easily understood from the following more detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a match card comprising a cover and attached matches, both of which have been rendered waterproof in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a friction or ignition plate that may be used in igniting matches and other ignition type products, which plate has been treated in such a manner that it is waterproof but still possesses adequate frictional properties for its normal use.

v Figure 3 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of another type of match container and matches rendered waterproof by my invention. In accordance, with my invention all of the products shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive are rendered waterproof by immersion in an appropriate waterproofing composition. In order-for this composition to accomplish the desired results, it must be sufficiently fluid and penetrative so that it will impregnate the matches, match container, and other parts to which it may be applied. In addition to this impregnation the we.-

terproofing composition should have the property of forming on the surface of the treated parts an extremely thin film that is also water-resistant.

This composition has a highly penetrative action and also forms the necessary extremely thin film over the treated surfaces. This thin film in combination with the deeply penetrated portions of the composition produces a highly water-resistant product. The thin film that is formed over the vital parts of the matches and match container, namely, the tips of the matches and the striking plate, is suflicient to maintain these parts completely dry when they are subjected to water, and is of such nature that it breaks down under the ordinary friction that is applied when striking a match. The result of a treatment with this composition is that the matches when not in use are rendered entirely waterproof and when it is desired to ignite one or more of them, the

thin outside water-repellent film is broken down by striking the tip of the match against the friction plate on the match container in the usual manner.-

I do not wish to limit my invention to the use of any specific waterproofing composition because I can carryout the invention with any composition that possesses the above described necessary properties. In all cases, however, the fihn that is formed on the treated parts must not be of the nature of the ordinary films produced by paraifin, gums, resins, etc., but of such extreme thinness that it may be easily broken down by the slight friction commonly applied in the utilization of ignition products. An example of the type of waterproofing composition that I have found capable of producing the desired results comprises the following ingredients: aluminum stearate, hydrogenated fish oil, one or more .light hydrocarbon distillates, rubber, and an alcoholic dispersing agent. The alcoholic dispersing agent, a specific example of which is ethyl alcohol, is used to uniformly colloidally disperse the aluminum stearate throughout the hydrocarbon distillates so that it forms, along with the other constituents, i. e. hydrogenated, fish oil and rubber, a thin free flowing penetrative type liquid. It is to be understood, of course, thatthis waterproofing composition is only one specific example of the type of composition that may be used and it may be modified by substitution of equivalents for the ingredients above named. For example, instead of aluminum stearate other water insoluble soaps may be used such as the aluminum oleates and palmitates, as well as the stearates, oleates, and palmitates of similar metals.

Referring now to Figure 1, the match card I is of the conventional type as far as its construction is concerned, but in accordance with this invention, has been impregnated and coated with a waterproofing composition of the type described above. As shown, the matches 2 and cover 3 are impregnated by some of the composition 4 and are covered with a thin film 5 of this compositlon. The container or cover 3 carries the striking plate 6, which is also impregnated and thinly coated with the waterproofing composition as shown at I and 5. The matches 2 are attached, to the cover 3 in a conventional manner.

composition enters into the pores of the match container and matches. The film 5 in most cases is so thin that it is practically imperceptible to the naked eye. The waterproofing composition may be easily and effectively applied to the match card I by immersing the entire card in a quantity of the liquid composition.

For determining the waterproof properties of my treated matches and match containers, such as shown in Figure 1, I have'found the following test to be useful. The match card I, which has been previously waterproofed by immersion in my preferred waterproofing composition and permitted to stand until the volatile constituents of the composition have evaporated, is now fully immersed in a vessel of water and allowed to remain several minutes. The card is then removed from the water and immediately thereafter any desired number of the matches are detached from the container and rubbed against the friction plate 6 in the manner commonly" used for striking matches. Such action causes the matches to ignite and burn in the same manner and with substantially the same case as is characteristic of ordinary matches under dry conditions. When a match card of the same type, but which has not been previously waterproofed, is subjected to the above treatment it becomes useless for none of the matches will ignite.

It is important to note that the stability of the waterproofed matches and their container is not altered in the least by the above described treatment, that is, the matches and container do not become soft and flimsy, as is the case when untreated matches are subjected'to the action of water. No more than ordinary care is necessary in using the waterproof matches subjected to the above test. The surface water can be easily brushed off and the matches saved for subsequent use.

In Figure 2 is shown a friction plate I, which may be the same or different from the friction plate 6 shown on the match container 3 in Figure 1. This friction plate 1 has been treated in accordance with the above described principles of my invention. The plate has been rendered completely resistant to water by the combination of the composition 4, impregnated in the pores of the plate, with the thin film 5 formed upon the surface of the plate. As described hereinbefore, the film 5 is so thin that the usual amount of force applied through the intermediary of a match or similar ignition product to this plate is sufficient to break down the film and permit the inherent roughened surface of the plate to effect -the desired ignition. As mentioned above, this treatment of frictional types of material is not limited to match striking plates but may be applied to various materials having frictional characteristics.

In Figure 3 is shown another type of match container or box 8 and separate matches 9 commonly used for household purposes. The container 8 and matches 9 have both been rendered waterproof in the manner described above, that is, by immersion in the waterproofing composition such that the composition 7 pores of these materials and forms on their surface the thin water-repellent film.

Although the film 5 shown in the matches in Figures 1 and 3 is sufficiently thin to permit its breakdown upon slight frictional or impact action, it does form a protective enclosure for the tips of the matches that will be sufficient in numerous cases to avert accidental ignition of part or all of the matches. This film serves the purpose of raising the flash point of the matches and thereby lessens the chances of their becoming accidentally ignited. Such accidents are often caused by the flame produced when one of the matches is purposely ignited. To protect against this known hazard it is common practice to have printed on match containers, such as the one shown in Figure 1, the words close cover before striking match. This precaution, however, is not always taken and as a result there have been numerous accidents, causing in some instances serious physical injuries. In accordance with my invention the composition introduced into the pores of the matches and forming a thin film on the outer surface as described above, serves to increase thefiash point of all penetrates into the plosive caps, fuses, etc., may be rendered waterproof by one of the above described treatments.

It is to be understood thatmy invention is not limited to the specific illustrations given hereinabove but is susceptible to variousmodifications and changes, all of which come within the purview of the appended claims.

What I claim as new is:

l. The method of waterproofing material normally possessing substantial frictional characteristics without deleteriously affecting the frictional properties, which comprises impregnating said material with a thin liquid penetrative type of waterproofing composition comprising a water insoluble aluminum soap, hydrogenated fish oil, rubber, a hydrocarbon solvent and an alcoholic dispersing agent and coating the outer surface of said material with a relatively thin film of said composition, said impregnating composition and serving the material in a dry condition when said material is not being used, said film being of such nature that it is broken down by the friction or impact normally applied to said material when the latter is in use whereby the natural frictional characteristics of said material are made available.

2. The method of waterproofing the ignition plate of a match card or container in such a manner that it is entirely water-repellent and still has available the necessary frictional characteristics to efiect easy ignition of a match, comprising impregnating the ignition plate with a thin liquid penetrative waterproofing composition comprising a water insoluble aluminum soap, hydrogenated fish oil, rubber, a hydrocarbon solvent and an alcoholic dispersing agent and forming a relatively thin coating of said composition on the outer surface of said plate, said coating being of such a nature that it may be easily broken down by the normal amount of friction or pressure applied to said plate when striking a match thereon whereby the original frictional characteristics of said plate are made available.

3. The method of waterproofing matches and match containers comprising impregnating and thinly coating said matches and containers with a thin liquid waterproofing composition comprising aluminum stearate, hydrogenated fish oil, a light hydrocarbon distillate and rubber.

4. A waterproof match card comprising a plurality of waterproof paper matches impregnated and thinly coated with a waterproofing composition comprising a water insoluble aluminum soap, hydrogenated fish oil and rubber, a strip of waterproof paper attached to and forming a cover for said matches, said paper being impregnated and thinly coated with said waterproofing composition, said waterproofing composition being capable of maintaining said matches and paper strip in a dry condition and said thin coat being of such nature that it is broken down by the friction or pressure normally a match. v

5. A waterproof match card comprising a plurality of waterproof matches and a waterproof flexible cover therefor, said matches and said cover being impregnated with a waterproofing applied when striking composition comprising aluminum stearate, hy-

drogenated fish oil and rubber.

6. A waterproof match comprising an inflammable splint provided with a tip of igniting composition, said splint and said tip being impregnated with a waterproofing composition comprising aluminum. stearate, hydrogenated fish oil and rubber.

7. A waterproof ignition plate for use in ignit-,

rial and a relatively thin film of said waterprooi' ing composition covering the outer surface of said base material, said thin film being of such a nature that it is broken down by the friction or pressure normally applied to said ignitionplate when striking matches.

8. The combination of a waterproof match container and a plurality of separate waterproof matches within said container, said container and said matches being impregnated and thinly coated with a waterproofing composition comprising aluminum stearate, hydrogenated fish oil and rubber.

9. A waterproofing composition of matter suitable for waterproofing matches and other ignition types 01' materials that become efieetive upon the application of friction, comprising a water insoluble aluminum soap, hydrogenated fish oil, rubber, a hydrocarbon solvent and an alcoholic dispersing agent.

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